Tag Archives: inauthenticity

I just read an article about how a stay-at-home mom turned published author, got her big break. She had apparently written part of a manuscript, then let it gather dust for a while. An agent was interested in representing her because she had followed her on Twitter. The agent asked to see whatever writing she had already done. So, the mom sent her dusty manuscript to the agent. The agent replied that she could see this woman’s potential as a writer, but thought that she could do better, if she used her own voice. The voice the writer used on twitter. In other words, she wanted her to be authentic. To be the best possible writer, she had to be herself.

For any of us to be the best possible us, we need to be who we are as a person. There’s no point trying to be someone, or something your not. If we do this, we will sound inauthentic. We will not influence the world with our inauthenticity. As a matter, being something other that who you are just leads to confusion, and may hurt a few people along the way.

World-changers are good at influencing other’s because they are authentic. We connect with authentic voices because those voices are believable. We trust what they are saying is true. We trust this because we know that the person is being themselves.

I want to be a world-changer. As of Saturday, I have accepted my identity as a writer. But, I’m not happy with my voice. I feel like I am cheating the best parts of myself, by not being myself. I want to be authentic. I want to draw people into my circle. I want move people, and be moved by people. I want to be who I am, not some idea of who I am. I am going to start by listing the things I know about myself:

I am child of God.

I am sassy.

I am a natural leader.

I am gifted at counseling others.

I am a mother.

I am wife.

I am a know-it-all.

I am an artist.

I am a writer.

I am smart.

I am witty.

I am a sister.

I am a visionary.

I am a nerd.

I am a good cook.

I am an encourager.

I am a blogger.

To be sure, there is still plenty of undiscovered country in my brain-scape. I am sure that I will get to know more of myself as time goes on. In the meanwhile, I must be who I am. I must be authentic.